Rick Perry was the nation's longest-serving governor when he left office in 2015, having served as Texas' chief executive since late 2000 when he succeeded George W. Bush upon Bush's election to the White House. Perry sought the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, but his campaign foundered after a widely panned debate gaffe. Before becoming governor, Perry served as the state's lieutenant governor, the state's commissioner of agriculture and a state representative.

Posted!

Perry shakes hands with members of his staff following his swearing-in ceremony on March 2, 2017, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. He was confirmed by the Senate as Energy secretary earlier that day.
Andrew Harnik, AP

Perry speaks during the Eagle Council XLIV, sponsored by the Eagle Forum, at the Marriott St. Louis Airport in St. Louis on Sept. 11, 2015. During his speech Perry ended his second bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
Robert Cohen, AP

Perry observes a training session with the 36th Engineer Brigade as they practice putting on and wearing protective clothing and gloves on Oct. 9, 2014, at Fort Hood, Texas. The brigade was set to deploy to Liberia to help fight the Ebola outbreak.
Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News, via AP

Perry prepares to eat a hamburger that contains the beef product known as pink slime, or lean finely textured beef, on March 29, 2012, in South Sioux City, Neb. The governors of Iowa, Texas and Kansas and lieutenant governors of Nebraska and South Dakota toured the Beef Products Inc. plant to show their support for the company and the several thousand jobs it creates.
Nati Harnik, AP

Perry embraces his wife, Anita, at the Victory Texas and Republican Party of Texas election night watch party at the Texas Disposal Systems Exotic Game Ranch on Nov. 2, 2010, in Buda, Texas. Perry was elected to his third term, defeating Democratic challenger Bill White.
Ben Sklar, Getty Images

Rick Perry, then the Republican candidate for Texas agriculture commissioner, talks with reporters on Oct. 19, 1990, during a campaign stop in Waco, Texas. Perry traveled across the state in a vintage World War II B-25 bomber.
Rod Aydelotte, Waco Tribune-Herald, via AP